DANIEL O’DONNELL — “NO, I’M NOT RETIRING… BUT I AM TAKING A DECENT BREAK”
A reflective moment with Ireland’s beloved entertainer as he shares his plans, his gratitude, and what comes next.
After 45 remarkable years on the road, Daniel O’Donnell is setting the record straight — he is not retiring. But he is, for the first time in decades, pressing pause.
In a warm, honest conversation with VIP Magazine, Daniel opens up about why this break matters, what he hopes to rediscover during his time away from the touring cycle, and why stepping back now feels not like an ending, but a thoughtful reset.
When we spoke with Daniel, he joined us from the sunshine of Tenerife, sounding relaxed and reflective. There is no drama in his decision, no hidden struggle — just a man who has given nearly half a century to music, community, and fans across the world, finally allowing himself the gift of rest.
“I’m taking a break in December,” he explains gently. “We’ve shows in the UK in October, then we’ll go to America in November. The last show is in Kincasslagh — a Christmas gospel show for the church and the local school. And then… I’m taking a break.”
Those who know Daniel’s career understand the significance. Since the late 1970s, he has performed with extraordinary consistency, year after year, country after country, never losing the personal touch that made fans feel like family. To hear him speak now, with honesty and gratitude, is a reminder of the dedication behind the man.
But a “break” does not mean disappearing. Daniel lights up when discussing the projects he will continue supporting. “I’m doing Gertrude Byrne’s cruise for the next couple of years,” he says, “and I’m involved in the Mary of Dungloe Festival for life. Hopefully we’ll also be recording the Opry shows for TG4 too.”
Then he pauses, reflective and sincere: “But that’s about all I’ll do, because I do want to take a good break. And when I come back, I want to look at touring in a different way. Everybody reaches a time where they think: I can’t continue doing it this way. And this last year, I’ve been thinking that.”
It is a remarkably candid admission, not of fatigue alone, but of wisdom. Daniel speaks about his work as a “blessing,” acknowledging the privilege of connecting with audiences year after year. Yet even blessings require balance.
What he seeks now is space — to breathe, to reassess, to understand how he wants the next chapter of his life and career to look. It is not a retreat but a recalibration. After decades of movement, he is choosing stillness, at least for a while.
For fans, his message is clear: Daniel O’Donnell is not retiring.
He is simply giving himself the chance to reset, so that when he returns, he can continue sharing his gifts with the same sincerity and joy that have defined his career from the very beginning.
And as millions who have followed him for years will agree, if anyone deserves a season of rest — a moment to pause, appreciate, and prepare — it is Daniel.